Stardew Valley has changed considerably since its original release in 2016, with each major update introducing new reasons to return to Pelican Town. However, its upcoming 1.7 update faces particularly high expectations following developer Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone’s latest comments. During an appearance at the Symphony of Seasons concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on October 25, 2026, the developer reportedly described 1.7 as the biggest update in the game’s history, with a tentative release window of 2027.
That’s an enormous promise for a game that has already received expansions as substantial as Updates 1.5 and 1.6. The former introduced Ginger Island, an entirely new region packed with late-game content, while the latter expanded almost every aspect of the existing experience. With ConcernedApe reportedly suggesting that the newly announced marriage candidates, Clint and Sandy, represent only a small fraction of what’s coming, expectations are understandably growing. However, surpassing Ginger Island could be particularly difficult, considering just how much it changed Stardew Valley‘s progression.
Stardew Valley 1.5 Set an Enormous Standard With Ginger Island
Released on December 21, 2020, Update 1.5 fundamentally changed what players could expect from Stardew Valley after completing the Community Center or JojaMart development projects. Ginger Island became accessible after repairing Willy’s boat, opening up an entirely new region with its own characters, activities, and secrets. Players could establish a second farm where crops grow throughout the year, explore the Volcano Dungeon, and gradually unlock new areas by collecting Golden Walnuts. The island also introduced Leo, whose storyline gave the location a more personal connection to the wider world. For players who had already accomplished most of what Pelican Town had to offer, Ginger Island provided a considerable amount of additional progression.
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What made Ginger Island particularly impressive was how naturally it extended the existing gameplay loop. Its Golden Walnut system encouraged exploration, while the Volcano Dungeon offered new challenges and the Forge provided additional ways to improve equipment. Reaching Mr. Qi’s Walnut Room unlocked further objectives, giving experienced players another reason to push their farms and skills to their limits. Update 1.5 also introduced the Perfection Tracker, finally establishing a comprehensive completion goal for dedicated players. I think this is what makes Ginger Island such a difficult expansion to surpass. It gave players a substantial new destination while making their existing progress feel worthwhile, and its influence can still be felt throughout the game’s endgame.
Stardew Valley 1.6 Proved That Bigger Doesn’t Always Mean a New Region
Update 1.6 took a different approach when it arrived on March 19, 2024. Rather than introducing another destination comparable to Ginger Island, it added a huge amount of content across the existing game. The Desert Festival transformed the Calico Desert into a temporary celebration with its own activities and rewards, while the Trout Derby and SquidFest introduced additional fishing events. Players also received the Meadowlands Farm, which encouraged an animal-focused approach to farming, alongside new crops and additional dialogue. The Green Rain event was another particularly memorable addition, temporarily transforming the valley’s appearance and creating an entirely different atmosphere during summer.
Update 1.6 also expanded progression through the Mastery Cave, allowing players who had reached level 10 in every skill to unlock additional abilities and equipment. This was especially valuable for established farms, where conventional skill progression had long since ended. Smaller changes also made a noticeable difference, from the ability to own multiple pets to festivals featuring different dialogue and layouts in alternating years. I would argue that 1.6 demonstrated how an expansion could feel substantial without introducing another enormous area to explore. Its changes were spread throughout the game, meaning players encountered new content during familiar activities rather than having to travel somewhere entirely different to experience it.
Stardew Valley 1.7 Has Two Very Different Ways to Surpass Its Predecessors
With 1.7 reportedly becoming the biggest update yet, another major region is an obvious possibility. Ginger Island demonstrated how effectively a new location can extend Stardew Valley‘s lifespan, and another destination could provide fresh challenges for players who have already reached Perfection. However, there has been no confirmation that 1.7 will introduce anything comparable. ConcernedApe has instead emphasized his desire to add depth to existing mechanics without overwhelming players with unnecessary complexity. This suggests that the next expansion could take the approach established by 1.6 even further, focusing on the systems players already interact with rather than expanding the world map.
Several previously discussed additions support that possibility. Clint and Sandy are confirmed as marriage candidates, a new farm type is planned, and ConcernedApe has expressed interest in improving the game’s children. He has also discussed expanding character interactions and giving players more reasons to revisit older festivals. Even relatively small individual changes could have a considerable cumulative effect if they touch enough aspects of daily life. More meaningful family interactions, for example, would benefit players throughout their time on the farm, while additional events could make later in-game years feel less repetitive. These ideas haven’t all been confirmed for 1.7, but they offer a glimpse of how a substantial expansion could improve the existing experience without needing another Ginger Island.
Stardew Valley 1.7’s Biggest Challenge Is Making Its New Content Matter
One reason Ginger Island remains such a memorable addition is that its content feels connected to the player’s overall progression. The island introduces objectives that require time and effort, but completing them unlocks worthwhile rewards and opportunities. Update 1.7 will face the challenge of providing that same sense of purpose on an even larger scale. Adding more activities would certainly be welcome, although those activities will need enough depth to remain engaging beyond their initial novelty. This is especially important for players who have already spent hundreds of hours developing their farms and have relatively little left to accomplish.
That doesn’t mean 1.7 needs to introduce an even more elaborate endgame than Ginger Island. In fact, expanding the game’s existing systems could be equally rewarding, especially if the changes remain relevant across multiple in-game years. Marriage is one area that could benefit from greater depth, while established festivals still have room to evolve. Meanwhile, experienced players could benefit from fresh objectives that build on existing progression rather than simply repeating familiar tasks. If ConcernedApe can make everyday life in Pelican Town feel meaningfully different after ten years, 1.7 could have a greater impact than another new region, even if its additions are less immediately impressive.
Ultimately, the standard established by Ginger Island goes beyond the sheer amount of content it introduced. Update 1.5 changed how players approached the later stages of Stardew Valley, while 1.6 demonstrated how much potential remained within the existing game. For 1.7 to surpass them, it will need to offer additions that feel similarly consequential. ConcernedApe’s reported promise of the biggest update yet certainly suggests that something substantial is coming, but the developer’s focus on depth might be the most promising indication of what to expect. Another Ginger Island would undoubtedly be exciting, although a more developed Pelican Town could prove just as valuable.
- Released
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February 26, 2016
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
- Developer(s)
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ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
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ConcernedApe
